Barely seven weeks ago, shares were being sold in Joshua Huw Adams as a potential Lions tourist.
His long-standing status as a Warren Gatland favourite seemed not to matter a jot to certain people.
It was as if pundits had heard a whisper that he had fallen out of favour and was about to be left out of the Kiwi’s squad to tour South Africa this summer.
Countless panels were named by would-be selectors that didn’t include Adams.
How quickly rugby’s wheel of fortune spins.
Adams, of course, was duly chosen by Gatland for the tour.
Now, according to bookmakers Skybet, he is one of the two wings the public are starting to favour for a Test spot. While Anthony Watson is favourite to claim one of the berths out wide at 8/15, Adams has closed to 11/10, nudging ahead of Welsh squad team-mates Liam Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit, who are both priced at 6/4.
The assumption is Adams’ strong form during the Rainbow Cup is being recognised. The Cardiff Blues wing typically played every game at full tilt, breaking tackles, winning turnovers, proving dominant in the air and defending solidly. On occasions, those watching might have feared for his well-being ahead of a Lions tour, but the 26-year-old knows no other way to play.
A minor injury has seen Williams inactive in recent weeks, but, like Adams, he is a big competitor and he will be desperate to impress Gatland in the coming weeks and months.
Rees-Zammit’s finishing ability means he is capable of surging into favour in the space of a single outing.
Williams is also in contention at full-back at 7/2, with Stuart Hogg (1/6) the hot favourite for the role.
Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (1/16) is considered the biggest certainty of the lot to start, with Owen Farrell (4/9) expected to partner him in the centre.
People are also backing Dan Biggar (8/13) and Conor Murray (4/6) as likely half-backs.
Up front, Wyn Jones (5/6), Ken Owens (2/5) and Tadhg Furlong (1/7) are being seen as the potential front row, with Maro Itoje (1/10) and Alun Wyn Jones (1/5) fancied as lock starters.
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It’s a tight call in the back row, with six players bunched together.
Tadhg Beirne (8/15), Tom Curry (8/13) and Taulupe Faletau (1/5) are tipped to form the Test trio, but Justin Tipuric (7/4), Hamish Watson (2/1) and Sam Simmonds (5/2) remain very much in the hunt.
Itoje is also included in the back-row market, priced at 7/1.
Skybet’s expected Lions XV: Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Robbie Henshaw, Owen Farrell, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Taulupe Faletau.
